Chapter 205: Olivia,I have been released.
Chapter 205: Olivia,I have been released.
(God’s POV)
Lydia gripped Olivia’s wrist tightly, her fingers digging into skin with enough force to leave marks. Pain shot through Olivia’s arm, but she refused to show weakness.
In Lydia’s eyes, Olivia’s lack of formal education made her earlier words sound like pure provocation. “So what if her mate is Matthew Kane?” she thought bitterly. “My father is the director of the pack enforcement bureau, and I never flaunt my connections.”
She despised she–wolves who relied on their mates to get ahead. The very sight of Olivia’s beautiful composed face made her blood boil.
“Today, if you don’t compete with me, don’t even think about leaving,” Lydia declared, her voice sharp with authority.
Killian stepped forward and firmly pulled Lydia’s hand away from Olivia’s wrist. His ice–blue eyes flashed with protective anger.
“That’s enough,” he said coldly.
Matthew, watching from a distance, saw the uncomfortable expression on Olivia’s face as she rubbed her reddened wrist. His jaw tightened imperceptibly.
Commander Garrett Flint felt a headache coming on. He recognized that Olivia’s qualifications viere becoming a sensitive issue that could spiral out of control.
To placate the increasingly aggressive Lydia, he proposed diplomatically, “Miss Olivia, how about one more round? Let’s convince Miss Miles completely.”
Faced with Commander Flint’s suggestion and Lydia’s relentless pressure, Olivia had no choice but to nod in agreement. “Fine.”
As the group moved toward the stage, Matthew descended to make room for them. He took a seat in the front row alongside the other officials, his golden eyes never leaving Olivia’s figure.
Olivia deliberately avoided his gaze, focusing on the path ahead. But as she passed him, her wrist was gently held.
She looked up to see Beta Tristan, before Olivia could process the surprise, Beta Tristan wrapped her sore wrist with a warm towel.
“Thank you,” Olivia murmured softly.
She continued to the stage, walking past Matthew without another glance. The familiar scent of his presence made her heart race, but she forced herself to remain composed.
Matthew sat with the head of the Information Technology Department, his expression perfectly calm. But his eyes were fixed on Olivia’s hands as they moved across the keyboard with practiced precision.
He noticed the faint scars on her fingers from two days ago, which she hadn’t bothered to treat. Her hands. were bare, the emerald ring conspicuously absent.
Chapter 205 Olivia, have been released
The sight of her naked ring finger sent a sharp pang through his chest.
Amid the murmurs and gasps from the audience, he watched her work. Her fingers flew across the keys with an almost supernatural speed and accuracy.
She won against Lydia decisively, but her face showed no excitement. Only a hint of boredom, as if her opponent was too weak to be a real challenge.
Still, she refused to look in his direction.
“A narrow victory!” one expert exclaimed, though his voice carried obvious surprise.
Loric Steele and several other top computer engineers exchanged shocked glances. They murmured among themselves, “It’s hard to tell who’s better.”
But they all knew the truth. Lydia was a top talent among the new generation. Anyone who could go head–to–head with her was extraordinary.
Their gazes fell on Olivia’s delicate figure, marveling at the hidden strength beneath her elegant exterior.
Commander Flint quickly stepped in to smooth things over. “You are both incredibly talented,” he said
diplomatically.
He turned to Lydia with a conciliatory smile. “Miss Miles, if Miss Olivia needs your help in the future, please
don’t refuse.”
For Lydia, one narrow victory could be dismissed as an accident. But two consecutive defeats felt like she was being completely overpowered by Olivia.
A sense of unease settled in her heart. A growing fear that Olivia’s true strength was far beyond what she
could comprehend.
“It can’t be,” Lydia told herself desperately. “It must have been a fluke.”
Seeking to regain her footing, she said with forced confidence, “Computer skills are multifaceted. You might be faster and have a lower error rate in a million–level concurrent cache elimination mechanism, but that doesn’t mean your other abilities are stronger than mine.”
She paused, then added with a hint of smugness, “Ultimately, computer applications are judged by the products they create! I heard from Commander Flint that you have a tech company.”
At the mention of her company, Olivia looked at Commander Flint with surprise. He mentally cursed himself for telling Lydia about it during their earlier conversation.
“What does your company do? What are your products?” Lydia pressed, sensing an opportunity to regain
face.
The other experts leaned in, their curiosity piqued.
“Security software,” Olivia replied simply, her voice steady.
The room erupted in barely contained laughter. Several experts exchanged knowing looks.
“I’d advise you to upgrade,” someone chuckled condescendingly. “Security software is so basic these days.”
Lydia finally felt like she had regained some face. She smiled mockingly and handed Olivia her business card with theatrical flourish.
Chapter 205 Olivia! have been released
“If you can’t think of a new product, you’re welcome to visit my company, Shadowtech Industries, for a tour
Olivia’s purpose for being there was to network and learn about potential competitors. Her dim eyes finally lit up with a spark of genuine interest.
“Can I bring my employees along to learn?” she asked with sincere earnestness.
Her genuine request caught Lydia completely off guard. The invitation had been purely sarcastic, meant to
humiliate rather than help.
Faced with Olivia’s clear, gentle gaze, Lydia found herself trapped by her own words. “You can bring one or
two,” she agreed reluctantly.
As they left the stage, Lydia noticed Killian anxiously approaching Olivia. Knowing his feelings for her, Lydia’s mood became complex and bitter.
She glanced at Matthew, then turned to Killian with forced brightness. “Professor, will you join us for dinner?
She knew he wouldn’t come unless Olivia did.
Before he could answer, Olivia’s excited voice cut in, “Killian, let’s go!”
Matthew glanced over, his gaze briefly landing on Olivia’s animated face. Then he turned and left with the other officials, not a single word exchanged between them.
Killian’s gaze on Olivia grew noticeably warmer. “Alright,” he agreed softly.
The group arrived at The Sovereign’s Table, a new restaurant specializing in Northern Territory cuisine that Lydia had recommended. A series of classic dishes were served, all of which happened to be Clivia’s
favorites.
“The taste is so authentic,” she praised after taking a bite of moonberry venison. The familiar flavors brought back memories of her time in the Northern territories.
She happily chatted with the other experts, learning about their products and market positions. Relief washed over her as she realized no one was developing protection systems, leaving the market wide open for
her company.
In a very good mood, Olivia excused herself from the table. “I’ll be right back.”
As she came out of the restroom, she ran right into a familiar figure. Theodore stood there, his dark eyes fixed on her with an intensity that made her freeze.
He looked at her and said quietly, “Olivia, I am innocent. I have been released.”
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